I have worked with lots really sharp guys from India, mind you they have been here in the US. Which implies selection bias, they were ones who had the interest, ability, and resources to get here. I have worked with lots of guys and from all over Europe an South America as too. Some great some not so great.
I don't think 'where' has much to do with it, talent is talent and it cares not about the label applied to map marking ones place of birth.
That said I don't think much of these programs. I expect 'my government' to look out for the 'general welfare' of 'my fellow countrymen'. I think the long term economic wisdom of importing all these workers from elsewhere is highly questionable. Based on intuition, labor statistics, and anecdotes, I fail to to reach the conclusion that the vast vast majority of tech jobs could not be filled by current citizens. Its not even clear it would alter the long term cost structure of these companies much; even if it did hurt the next few quarters.
So I suggest we dispense with all of the crap, the unsubstantiated economic voodoo, the nationalism, and the Xenophobia. Lets stop incentivising off-shoring and importing of workers. Lets not disincentivise it either. Get rid of the tax loop holes; dump payroll taxes entirely. Just allocate what is required for entitlements like SS and Medicare from the general fund. Get rid of the tax exemption on benefits make them taxable as regular income. Provide that no employer may require an employee to participate in their benefits program. That will make the heal-care market place more open and take that dimension mostly out of labor competitiveness.
Then adopt a permissive immigration policy, no quotas no incentives. Let as many people come as want to but require they prove at least one of the following:
1) An offer of gainful employment
2) Existing financial resources on which they can live for at least two years.